AND BEYOND -- Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” is an all-new, original feature film that presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans)—the hero who inspired the toy—introducing the legendary Space Ranger who would win generations of fans. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”), the sci-fi action-adventure releases on June 17, 2022. © 2021 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Courtney Howard // Film Critic
LIGHTYEAR
Rated PG, 1 hour and 40 min
Directed by: Angus MacLane
Starring: Chris Evans, Keke Palmer, Uzo Aduba, Peter Sohn, Taika Waititi, Dale Soules, James Brolin, Isiah Whitlock Jr.
Director-Co-writer Angus MacLane’s LIGHTYEAR has an undeniably catchy hook: It’s the movie Andy from TOY STORY saw in 1995 that inspired him to want a Buzz Lightyear toy. And although an origin story for the titular character previously existed with BUZZ LIGHTYEAR OF STAR COMMAND, it’s the theatrical film that expands on the man and mythos, fearlessly exploring space and his own misfeasance for the betterment of humankind. Casting him as his own worst enemy sets up a compelling hero’s journey – one that star Chris Evans colors terrifically with a heap ton of heart. It’s an epic, breathtaking love letter to sci-fi and all its imaginative capabilities, crafting a transportive, immersive world and fun movie-going experience.
Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (Evans) and his partner/ pal Commander Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba) are exploring a planet in the outermost region of the galaxy when, thanks to Buzz’s own hubris and ego, their spaceship’s fuel cell generator is destroyed, leaving them and a colony of thousands marooned in an inhospitable environment. Dedicated to completing the mission, Buzz sets out to re-manufacture the hyperspeed crystal that could get them back on track. However, each attempt at testing the new fuel’s stability ends not only in failure, but also in Buzz losing years with those he loves like Alisha, who ages rapidly every time he leaves.
Just as Buzz hears from Commander Burnside (Isiah Whitlock Jr.) that the Space Ranger program is shutting down and he’s forced to accept the fate he caused, his wicked-smart, robotic emotional-support cat Sox (Peter Sohn, who voices this film’s MVP with great paw-thos) figures out crystal fusion and the pair escape. Their final test successfully works – however, their return doesn’t merit a hero’s welcome. The planet they’ve come back to is under siege by Zurg (James Brolin) and his robot henchmen, hell-bent on destroying Buzz’s colony. The rescue of the people and planet is now up to him and a ragtag squad of underdog wannabe space rangers, which include klutzy Mo Morrison (Taika Waititi), ex-con Darby Steel (Dale Soules) and Alisha’s gumption-filled granddaughter Izzy (Keke Palmer).
Paying homage and making reference to some of the best sci-fi movies (like ALIEN and 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY), MacLane and company have crafted one of the most aesthetically appealing features Pixar has done. The environments’ scale and scope are dazzling. Many gorgeous frames are pure art – you’ll want to hit pause and admire them. It’s stunning how the filmmakers visually contextualize Buzz’s perspective, illuminating hidden nuance and resonance in both his arc and the settings.
Narratively, the film also takes big swings that are both familiar and unfamiliar. Buzz’s journey from selfish to selfless is one we’ve seen before in the original TOY STORY. However, the contemporary refurbishment given by MacLane and co-writer Jason Headley puts a refreshing polish on his lesson, as he’s tasked to interrogate his own ego. Not all upcycled ideas work as brilliantly though. A 3rd act reveal seems to heavily borrow from both UP and MONSTERS UNIVERSITY. Though it’s one thing to mimeograph similar tonalities, it’s another to make it feel unearned, as there’s nothing cataclysmic that comes before to logically warrant that big twist.
While the picture provides plenty of questions that could steer audiences into the weeds (like those dealing with the decision-making processes of the consumer products department in the mid ‘90s), it also gives those who aren’t distracted by the minutiae plenty to celebrate and love (while also gifting the consumer products department of today plenty of new toys to manufacture and the parks department new cuisine ideas). And make sure to stay through the end credits, beyond the studio logos, for three end tags.
Grade: B-
LIGHTYEAR opens in theaters on June 17.
